Organon and Eli Lilly expand global reach of migraine treatment Emgality

Organon and Eli Lilly and Company have expanded their commercialization agreement for Emgality, a leading migraine treatment, into 11 additional markets, reinforcing their commitment to addressing one of the most prevalent neurological disorders worldwide.

Organon and Eli Lilly Expand Emgality Agreement

Organon, a global healthcare company with a focus on women’s health, and Eli Lilly and Company have expanded their partnership to extend the reach of Emgality (galcanezumab) to 11 additional markets, including Canada, Colombia, Israel, South Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. This expansion builds on Organon’s existing role as the sole distributor and promoter of Emgality in Europe since February 2024.

Emgality, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), is widely recognized for its effectiveness in the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. In several markets, it is also indicated for the treatment of episodic cluster headache. The expanded agreement underscores Organon’s growing influence in the global healthcare sector, particularly in women’s health, and further strengthens its collaboration with Eli Lilly.

Kevin Ali, CEO of Organon, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating that the broadening of the agreement is a testament to Organon’s best-in-class commercialization capabilities, global footprint, and deep expertise in women’s health. He highlighted that migraine ranks as the leading cause of disability among young women and expressed pride in expanding their offering to more women and men suffering from this debilitating condition.

Expert Insights: The Impact of Migraine and Emgality’s Role

Migraine is a highly prevalent neurological disorder, affecting millions worldwide with recurrent moderate-to-severe headaches, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. The disorder significantly reduces the quality of life for those affected, with untreated attacks lasting from four to 72 hours, leaving patients in constant anticipation of the next debilitating episode. The introduction of Emgality in additional markets is seen as a crucial step in providing effective treatment options to more patients globally.

Ilya Yuffa, executive vice president of Eli Lilly and Company and president of Lilly International, expressed confidence in the expanded collaboration, noting that their shared mission with Organon is to bring this important migraine treatment to more patients around the world. Under the new agreement, Organon will become the sole distributor and promoter of Emgality in the newly added markets, while Eli Lilly will remain the marketing authorization holder and manufacturer of the product.

The financial terms of the expanded agreement include an upfront payment of $22.5 million to Eli Lilly, with additional sales-based milestone payments as Emgality’s market reach continues to grow.

Key Points of the Agreement and Emgality’s Significance

Emgality’s expansion into new territories highlights the increasing recognition of the need for effective migraine treatments across the globe. As Organon and Eli Lilly continue to collaborate, the emphasis remains on leveraging their combined strengths to address the substantial unmet needs in migraine care. The strategic move to include additional markets is expected to enhance the availability of Emgality, providing much-needed relief to those suffering from both chronic and episodic migraines.